Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberry Filling

🍓 Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberry Filling: A Decadent Dessert for Every Occasion

There’s something timeless and irresistible about the combination of rich chocolate and juicy, fresh strawberries. Add those together in a cake, and you have a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, romantic dinners, holidays, or just because you feel like treating yourself. This Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberry Filling is not only visually stunning but also bursting with bold, sweet flavor.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, this recipe is surprisingly approachable and results in a bakery-worthy cake that impresses every time. Moist chocolate layers meet a bright, fruity filling, creating a beautiful contrast in taste and texture.

🍫 Why You’ll Love This Chocolate-Strawberry Cake

• Classic flavor pairing: Deep chocolate flavor meets sweet, slightly tart strawberries.
• Moist and rich: The chocolate cake is soft, tender, and full of cocoa goodness.
• Naturally fresh: The homemade strawberry filling uses real berries, no artificial flavors needed.
• Perfect for layering: This cake holds up well for layer stacking and decorating.
• Customizable: Add whipped cream, ganache, or even chocolate chips for an extra twist.

🍓 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chocolate Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water (or hot coffee for deeper flavor)

For the Fresh Strawberry Filling:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Frosting:

• Whipped cream, chocolate ganache, or buttercream (your choice)

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Cake Layers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Slowly add the hot water or coffee and mix until well combined. Batter will be thin.
5. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool completely before assembling.

Step 2: Make the Fresh Strawberry Filling

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Cook for 5–10 minutes until the strawberries release their ju
   
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